ES2197924T3 - DEVICE FOR THE COLLECTION OF WASTE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for collecting debris from a surface. The device has a generally planar matting material the undersurface of which is formed with depending bristles. The device has an opening therethrough whereby when the device is moved over a ground surface with the bristles in contact therewith, debris on the ground surface is passed through the opening to rest on the matting material.

Description

Device for waste collection.

This invention relates to a device for Waste collection

In US-A-5 284 211 describes a device for collecting waste from a surface, for example, to collect small waste, such as Leaves of the ground. This device comprises a construction similar to a flexible grid that has grooves so that, to As the device moves over the ground, the waste pass through the slots and go to the upper side of the device, where residues that have remained passed through the slots.

In JP-A-06 015 064 and DE-A-2 633 215 are described cleaning devices where waste does not pass to the upper side of said devices.

Although the arrangement shown in US-A-5 284 211 has proved to be very satisfactory in practice, particularly for care and surface cleaning of tennis courts, has now been checked which is not as efficient as would be desirable on surfaces rough such as asphalt surfaces.

The present invention provides a device for the collection of waste from a surface according to the characteristics of claim 1.

The said portion may be formed of a Foamed plastic material or an open fiber mat sinuous, such as open curly fibers. However, in one preferred form, the elastically collapsible material (referred to in hereinafter as conformable material) comprises a structure similar to that of a brush.

The flat element may include a portion of support that can be flexible or relatively rigid.

The opening may have, on a trailing edge of the same, a surface that hangs forward and down to facilitate waste collection. Likewise, to facilitate the retention of waste in the device, the latter may be provided, on its upper surface, with projections, flanges or similar, vertical. For example, a wall may be formed vertical along the front edge of the opening and / or in one or both side edges of the opening.

A single opening may be provided, but it is preferably there are several openings.

The device may have a means to capture waste that has passed through the opening. Saying Capture medium may comprise a mesh-shaped material. The material constituting the capture medium may comprise a material that forms a cavity on the upper surface of the generally flat element.

The invention is further described, only by Sample title, with reference to the attached drawings, in where:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a device constructed according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section on line 2-2 of figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view. of a reinforcement frame incorporated in the device of the Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are plan views of others. two embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a cross section from side to side of the modality of figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a front view of the mode of figure 8.

Figure 10 is a front view of the mode of figure 8.

Figures 11 and 12 are cross sections, respectively, on lines 11-11 and 12-12 of Figure 8.

Figure 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 is a front view of the mode of figure 13.

Figure 15 is a front view of the mode of figure 13.

Figure 16 is a cross section through the line 16-16 of figure 13.

With reference first to figures 1, 2 and 3, the device 10 shown there is formed of a material of conformable mat 15 that it has, as illustrated in the Figure 2, a portion of flexible laminar base 12 with bristles pending 14. It has been proven that it is convenient to form the device from an inverted artificial grass material of the type used for the surfaces of tennis courts and similar, provided with bristles that extend downwards. In In general, material 15 should be flexible.

The mat material 15 has a series of rectangular elongated lateral openings 16, arranged in separate rows that extend transversely. When he device 10 moves on the floor 18 (figure 2), such as dragging it by a rope 22 (figure 1) provided in the front end thereof, the bristles 14 remove the leaves, stones and similar existing in the ground when coming into contact with the same and such residues tend to pass from the side bottom of device 10 through openings 16 to remain on the upper portions of the device 10 and on the  base portion 12, between openings 16. Waste that is found on the upper side of the device 10 can be then collected conveniently for distribution in the most desirable way. The bristles act to `` whip '' the material inside the openings 16.

In the particular form shown in figures 2 and 3, each opening 16 is surrounded by a reinforcing frame 30. The frame has a peripheral edge portion 32 which, in the front and side portions of the opening 16, is formed with a vertical wall 34. At the rear edge, the frame is formed with a collection portion 36 having an edge angled down and extending from a point on the side top of mat material 15 forward and down to end at a point that, when device 10 is functioning, it is only just above ground 18. The frame is secured in position on the material of mat 15 by means of screws or other fasteners 40, which extend through the frame and the material of mat 15. Alternatively, the frame may be sewn to the mat material.

In the device 100 of Figure 4, the openings 16 are formed between bands 50 of material of mat 15 extending from side to side and whose bands are interconnected with connection elements 52 relatively narrow and extending from the front to the part rear Thus, each set of openings aligned side with side forms a substantially continuous opening 54 from side to side.

The device 200 of Figure 5 is generally similar to that of figure 4, except that the openings 54 extend from side to side present the configuration of `` teeth of  Mountain range''. The alternate openings 16 in each opening 54 that is extends from side to side are angled forward and towards back, as can be seen.

The device 300 of figures 6 and 7 has of bands 350 that extend from side to side and that are formed of mat material 15 and interconnected by racks of 330 plastic material. In this case, there are three 350 bands interconnected by two sets of frames 330, each set of racks comprising three racks laterally aligned. Each frame 330 comprises a portion generally flat front 332 and extending so horizontal and a generally flat 334 rear portion and that extends horizontally, coplanar with portion 332. The portions 332, 334 are connected at the ends of each frame 330 for extreme walls 336, 338 and for one wall intermediate 340. Walls 330, 338, 340 are generally flat and extend vertically and have a relatively thick small in the side-by-side direction of the device 300, of so that each frame has two openings from side to side 16 relatively large

The three front frames 330 of each set are in a side-to-side relationship, closely adjacent, in order to provide, from one side to another of the width of the device 10, six openings 16. Each portion 334 has a collection portion 342 tilted forward and down that extends down to a point adjacent to the floor 18 (figure 7). This works in a similar way to pickup portion 36 angled down above described.

On the back of each frame portion 332, a portion of wall 354 extending towards above, which is arranged, for each set of beaters, so that it has a substantially continuous wall that is extends from side to side of device 300.

Three extreme pieces 356 are provided, in one end-to-end contact relationship, from side to side of width of the device 10 at the rear edge of one of the rear bands of said three bands 350. Said pieces define a vertical wall that extends from side to side and that is configured similarly to the walls provided by the side-to-side wall portions 354 associated with the two 330 racks.

375 fine mesh sieves are located, which they have some flexibility and elasticity, so that extend from side to side of device 300, extending the front sieve from the upper edges of the portions of wall 354, associated with the three front frames 330, in an arched configuration up to the corresponding points of the wall portion 354 associated with the frames 330 located back. Similarly, the 375 rear sieve is extends, in an arched configuration upwards, from the upper edge of the wall portions 354 of the racks arranged back 330 to the upper edges of the extreme pieces 356. Said sieves 375 thus define spaces substantially closed 377 above the openings located forward 16 and the next band 350 and above the openings arranged back 16 and the next band 350. Yes if desired, these spaces can be closed on their sides such as through more mesh material. It has been proven that the sieves are effective to trap, within the spaces 377, the waste collected during the operation of the apparatus. Preferably, the sieves are arranged so that they can easily withdraw such as by using devices suitable releasable fixation, to facilitate the removal of waste, or waste can simply slip from lateral way to exit the device 10 through the 377 open spaces at the ends. In provisions alternatives, the sieves can be formed of a material that It is flexible and non-elastic or can form cages substantially rigid on the top of the device.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a modified frame 430 similar to frame 330. In Figures 9 to 12, they are used equal reference numbers to represent components also same in figures 6 and 7. However, in this case, the angled collection portions 342 are shell-shaped, being provided with V-shaped notches 380 at the edges front to facilitate waste collection.

Figures 13 to 16 illustrate another frame modified 530. Again, this frame is generally similar to frame 330 described with respect to figures 6 and 7. They are used equal reference numbers to represent components also same in figures 6 and 7 and figures 13 to 16 and the following description is dedicated to show the differences between racks of figures 6 and 7 and those of figures 13 to 16.

In frame 530, the walls have been removed 336, 338 & 340 and have been replaced by wall structures joined 532. Each wall structure 532 has a first portion 534 extending forward from the wall portion rear 334 and is generally configured similarly to 338 walls described above. Portions 534 end shortly before the wall portion 354 and the front portion 332, but are attached to flange portions that extend toward  back 536 of wall structures 532 by means of pins 538. Thus, each wall portion 534 and the portion of tab can rotate with respect to each other around the pin shafts 538 in order to allow movement pivot of the front and rear of the frame. So, the bands 350 carried by said parts can pivot similarly from side to side, as a set around the axes Of the device.

As illustrated, the wall portion 354 of each frame 530 may have, extending from portion 332, a portion 354a that is understood up and back and the wall portion 534 may have an angled edge 534a so something corresponding and that presents only a separation relatively small with respect to portion 534a in order to somehow limit the amount of movement allowed between the parts arranged forward and backward of the frame 530

It has been verified that the devices described they are particularly satisfactory for cleaning waste from hard surfaces such as asphalt, concrete or the like, as well as of grass surfaces and the like. It has also been checked that such devices can be used successfully to collect small objects such as nuts, bolts and Similar. In the particular case of rough asphalt, the action of collection is very effective, acting the bristles 14 to clean the soil and direct waste to the upper surface of the device.

According to one form of the invention, it has been proven which proved to be satisfactory to provide openings 16 of dimensions of the order of 260 mm by 60 mm, the depth being of the hairs formed by the bristles 14 of the order of 1 cm. Without However, the dimensions can be varied in the way that It is necessary to adapt the invention to particular uses. For example, the openings may have a length of the order of 10 to 300 mm, measured in the direction from the front to the rear part of the device of the invention. At speeds of drag of up to 30 Kph, a length of around 70 mm, using larger lengths in the case faster drag speeds, for example 100 mm when speeds of up to 100 Kph are used. Similarly, the hair depth provided by bristles 14 can be to vary. In general, the longer the bristles, the better it will be usability, but generally shorter bristles are more efficient since it is easier to direct objects through a smaller distance from the ground surface to the surface upper device. In practice, for small objects such as washers and the like, a thickness of about 9 mm. For large objects, you can Use a greater depth. A total material thickness of mat of the order of 5 to 15 mm will provide a pick-up satisfactory of a series of small objects found habitually.

The bristles 14 are flexible and have a certain degree of elasticity

According to a construction example, the material of mat 15 consisted of an artificial grass material consisting of two thicknesses of woven polypropylene material fine, the bristles 14 being made of polypropylene fibers  flat. The bristles 14 were formed from flat thread of a weight of 1332 g per square meter. The material was sewn on the support material in the form of curls along separate rows each other in approximately 4 mm. A support was then applied rubber type woven sheets on the opposite side to the curls and the curls were cut to form the bristles as tufts in vertical position. A material with 27 curls per 10 cm in each of  the rows turned out to be satisfactory, having the tufts a length of about 9 mm. The resulting type structure mat can be crushed to some extent by applying pressure with the hand on the bristles, but has a sufficient elasticity as to get a relatively quick reset towards the original state when pressure is no longer applied. This material of artificial grass is relatively flexible because the base material (the woven material together with the type support rubber) is flexible.

The artificial mat material described it has a lower surface consisting of the bristles that can easily adapt to variations in soil surface as the device 10 passes over the latter, being able to adapt in particular to the undulations of said surface so as to small obstacles and providing a sweeping action effective to remove the waste and make them move to  through openings 16. Although it is preferable that the device include a flexible base with a conformable portion in the form of the bristles described above, other constructions are possible. By For example, a layer of foamed plastic material could be used. In general, the device assembly 10 should be flexible although, particularly if a very thick bottom layer is used consisting of bristles, foam or other material, said device could be secured to a relatively rigid upper support. In the described example of figures 1 and 2, the leading edge of the device is provided with a rigid band 25 to facilitate the device maintenance in an extended state during drag across a surface.

In general, the dimension of openings 16 in the direction that goes from the front to the back of the device can be approximately the same or slightly larger that the distance that goes from front to back and that separates the adjacent openings 16, although the separation of the openings Adjacent 16 may be considerably larger. The device You can present any suitable dimensions. Usually, for manual use, a length of the order of one meter and a width of the order of 2 meters.

The construction offered here has been described simply for illustrative purposes and many modifications and variations in it without deviating from it of the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.

Claims (22)

1. Device for collecting waste from a surface, said device (10) comprising an element substantially flat (10; 100; 200; 300) having an opening (16) where, when the device moves over a surface of ground, with the lower side of the flat element in contact with the soil surface, existing waste on the latter pass through the opening in the upper side of the element flat, where at least a portion (15) of the flat element that defines a lower surface of the flat element is formed of a material (14) that can be elastically crushed from the bottom of it, which during the movement of the device (10) by the floor surface, the bottom surface it is forced to adapt locally to the undulations of the ground surface, the opening (16) being followed by a upper surface (12; 50; 350) on which the waste that has passed through the opening. 2. Device according to claim 1, in wherein said portion (15) is formed of a flexible layer. 3. Device according to claim 1, in wherein said portion (15) is formed of plastic material foamed 4. Device according to claim 1, in wherein said portion (15) is formed of an open mat of sinuous fibers 5. Device according to claim 1, in where said material that can be elastically crushed it comprises a structure similar to a brush and that has bristles (14) that hang down. 6. Device according to claim 1, in where said material that can be elastically crushed is formed as pending bristles (14) so, when the device moves along the floor surface with the bristles (14) in contact with the latter, the waste is removed at come into contact with the bristles to force them to pass through from the opening (16) towards the upper surface of the device. 7. Device according to claim 1, in where said material that can be elastically crushed it comprises artificial grass constituted by a support portion flexible (12) with plastic filaments flexible (14). 8. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein a means of capture (275) to trap the waste that passes through said opening. 9. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said opening (16) is substantially surrounded by an open frame (30) to which it is joined the conformable material. 10. Device according to claim 9, in where said frame (30) is articulated so that parts of the device, located in front and behind the opening, can pivot around an axis from side to side. 11. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein a portion of angled down and forward pickup (36) at the edge opening of the opening 12. Device according to claim 11, in wherein said collection portion (36) has a front edge in shell shape (380). 13. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the opening (16) extends through the material that can be crushed so elastic 14. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the opening (16) is adjacent to an edge of the material that can be crushed so elastic 15. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein a plurality is provided of said openings (16). 16. Device according to claim 15, in where said openings (16) extend from one side to the other of the device. 17. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the device is provided, on its upper side, with vertical projections or nerves (3. 4). 18. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 16, wherein a vertical wall is provided (34) formed along a front edge of the opening. 19. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein a means (375) is provided to catch the waste that has passed through the opening. 20. Device according to claim 19, in where the capture means (375) comprises a mesh material. 21. Device according to claim 20, in where the material that constitutes the capture means comprises material that forms a cavity (377) on the upper surface of the substantially flat element. 22. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said element substantially flat is flexible.